Aeroplane-fuselage.



M. W. PERRY.

AEROPLANE FUSELAGE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 21, 1918- i 99,85. Patented Apr. 8,1919.

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M. W. PERRY.

AEROPLANE FUSELAGE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 21, 19I8. 1,299,58. Patented Apr. 8,1919.

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. AEBOPLANE-FUSELAGE.

To all whom it mag concern." Y

Be it known thatl, MELVIN W. PERRY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Algoma, county of Kewaunee, andState of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Aeroplane- Fuselage, of which the following is a specifica This invention relates prlmarily to aeroplane fuselage construction andthe method of making the same, although it will, of.

course, appear clear from the description hereinafter set forth that various features of the .invention are applicable to other arts where light substantial structures having a. certain amount of flexibility are demanded, as for example in the construction of artificial limbs. For convenience, however, the invention will hereinafter be described w th relation to the construction of the fuselage.

One of the objectsof the present invention is to provide a construction of the above general character which will be exceedingly light in w'eight,'yet strong and durable in construction. A further object is to provide a construction of the above general character having a certain amount of flexibility which will render the machine safe and steady in flight. A further object is to provide a method whereby the body may be molded or formed to the proper shape whereby 'its resistance to the air currents may be reduced to a minimum.

Other objects will be in part obvious from the annexed drawings and in part indicated in connection therewith by the following analysis of thisinvention.

This invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combination of parts and in the unique relations of themembers and in the relative proportioning and disposition thereof; all as more completely outlined herein.

Drawings depicting a preferred form have been annexed as a part of this disclosure, and in such drawings, like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout all the views of which I Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, are transverse sectional views showing the various steps in making the preferred form of fuselage body.

Fig. 6 is a semi-diagrammatic perspective view of the body.

Fig. 7 is a sectional partial perspective View, and

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 8, 1919.

, Application filed September 21, 1918. Serial No. 255,062.

Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of one of the parts of the form.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, a plurality of collapsible mold members as shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive are assembled to the desired form. These members comprise a central longitudinal part 11 of general rectangular cross section and pro vided at each side is a relatively fiat member 12, the outer surface of which tapers inwardly and the sides are curved to form the tail of the fuselage. Similarly a, member 13 is positioned at the top of the main member 11, while at the bottom a split member 14, as shown more clearly in Fig. 8 is provided. This latter member will permit the parts to be more easily assembled and disassembled as will hereinafter appear.

After these parts are assembled as shown in Figs. 1 to 5, a lurality of thin strips 15 of veneer or'the li e are wound side by side about the form at a relatively steep pitch. After these strips have been laid a second set of strips, preferably a smaller number are wound spirally about the frame at a very low pitch and in the opposite direction. In fact, if desired one continuous strip 16 may be used instead.of a larger number. These two layers are, of course, secured together in any desired manner preferably by means of a cement or waterproof glue after which a series of longitudinally disposed strips 17 are secured. This set is then covered by a fourth set of strips 18 running at an angle to the previous layers and all are covered with a final series of strips 19 running spirally and in a direction opposite to the windings 15 and 18.

After the parts have been assembled and the cement is thoroughly .dry the form may be removed by first withdrawing the central member 11 after which the sides 12 are moved inwardly and then also withdrawn through the open end. The member 13 which is relatively narrow, will easily pass out through the open end, but the member 14, which is usually wider at its central part than the longitudinal diameter of the front opening, is provided with a central slotted -fuselagemay be further treated as by smoothing and painting, as may be necessary in order to reduce the air resistance as much as possible. The finished [body is relatively strong and durable, thus making it perfectly safe for use as the desired flexibility necessaryin aeroplane-construction to permit it to yield under certain circumstances during the hard usage to which it is put is always present.

The invention is of simple and practical character and adapted to accomplish, among others, all of the objects and advantages herein set forth.

l/Vithout further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of this invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting certain features that, from the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention, and therefore such adaptations should and areintended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency of the following claims.

I claim: I

1. A monoblock fuselage comprising a hollow body composed of a plurality of superposed layers glued together, the'inner and outer-layers being formed from oppositely and spirally wound juxtaposed strips of veneer, and themiddle layer being formed of a plurality of juxtaposed longitudinally extending strips of veneer.

2.' A mono'block fuselage comprising a hollow body composed of five superposed layers glued together, the two inner and twoouter layers being formed from oppositely and spirally wound juxtaposed strips of veneer, and the middle layer. being formed .of a plurality extending strips of veneer.

3. The herein described method of making a hollow monoblock fuselage or the like having an enlarged central portion which consists in providing a collapsible mold formed of a plurality of interfitting bodies winding a plurality of strips of veneer about said mold spirally in one direction, the strips being in juxtaposition to each othersu er'pos-' ing upon said set of strips a plura'ity of strips extending longitudinally of the mold and in juxtaposition to each other, and covring said last mentioned strips with a second set of oppositely and spirally wound strips in juxtaposition to each other and then withdrawing said collapsible mold.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MELVIN w. PERRY.

Witnesses v GRACE BRUEMMIER, Louis BASSINE.

.of juxtaposed longitudinally 40 s 

